No Sweat! Your Guide to Melt-Proof Makeup

Don’t get us wrong—we love summer. But sometimes the heat and humidity on our makeup can look anything but pretty. Case in point: makeups that melt off in less than a few hours. Today, we’re dishing on our best summer makeup tips that will prevent you from any smeared makeup fiasco.   

• ·        Before you apply your makeup, make sure to start with clean skin. If you have combination/oily skin, we recommend using a special oil control cleanser.
• ·        Prime your lids with a stay-all-day formula. Urban Decay’s best-selling Eyeshadow Primer Potion works wonders on every skin type.
• ·        Stock up on creamy eye shadows and blushes instead of powders. Cream shadows offer a formula that helps it absorb in to skin and last all day compared to powders.
• ·        Keep a pack of blotting papers in your purse. Just one paper will help wipe away excess shine, oil and sweat.
• ·        We’re a fan of tinted lip balms or gel-based lipsticks, which will provide long-wearing color and help fight that awful heat without smearing any color off your lips.
• ·        Opt for waterproof mascara. There are a bevy of mascaras that offer waterproof formulas (like Maybelline Colossal Waterproof Mascara) that not only work under water but are contact-lens safe.
• ·        Apply a finishing powder or spray. Setting makeup before you head out in the heat will keep your makeup intact.

10 Beauty Tips and Tricks for Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Gone are the days of packing endless bottles of hairspray. Thanks to the TSA travel regulations, every woman must live by the 3 oz. rule. Don’t let a bounty of beauty products weigh down your luggage though. From product saviors to beauty packing tricks, we’ve rounded up our best tips for the best summer travel vacation yet.

1. Combat bad hair days on long flights by tying a scarf around your head. It’s easier than bothering with a top knot!
2. Pack travel-size beauty products. From miniature dry shampoos to sample-size eye creams and lotions, these mini kits can work wonders not only for travel but the destination as well.
3. Pre-moistened makeup remover wipes instantly refreshes skin during long car trips.
4. Opt for makeup corrector and concealer sticks. Liquid formulas can be messy when traveling (and can leak!).
5. Pack a travel size mineral mist. Mists help keep you hydrated without any flaky finish.
6. Don’t pack every hair hot tool you have, just bring a flat iron. Not only can you use a travel flat iron on your hair for sleek looks or pretty waves, but you can also use it to quick irons on wrinkled shirts.
7. Avoid big fragrance bottles and stick to those tiny little perfume samples you get at department stores. If you don’t have those, opt for small bottles of oils and shower gels to saver your favorite scent.
8. Pack your toiletries in zip-lock bags. This will prevent any spills on clothing and other possessions. Clear travel makeup bags also make it easier when you’re hunting for products.
9. Look for products with multiple uses. Cheek and lip tints, travel-sized leave-in conditioners and shadow that double as liner are great alternatives to attempting to pack your entire vanity.
10.  Minimize your nail wardrobe with a built-in 3-in-1 base, polish, and top coat; or opt for one or two neutral nail colors for your trip.

The Importance of Sunscreen + Our Favorite SPF Essentials

Long gone are the days of baking in the sun with tanning oil. When it comes to the dog days of summer, everyone needs to stock up on sunscreen. More than 3.5 million skin cancers in more than 2 million people are diagnosed annually, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

When shopping for sunscreen, look for lotions and sprays that offer broad-spectrum protection (this helps protect against harmful UVA ad UVB rays), sun protection factors of SPF 30 or more and are water resistant. 

While there are thousands of sunscreen brands that offer sun protection, we’re a bit picky (who wants to apply sunscreen with a funky smell or look greasy?). Today, we’ve rounded up our favorite SPF lotions and sprays that are lightweight and easy to apply.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50. This lightweight mineral tinted formula can be applied on the face and body, not to mention evens out minor imperfections. 

Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 50. We like this fragrance-free liquid that provides substantial sun protection and can be layered under makeup. 

Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector Sunscreen SPF 50. This creamy white lotion not only protects your skin against harmful rays but also leaves skin feeling smooth and looking dewy.  

Vanicream Sunscreen Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 35. If you have sensitive or acne prone skin, you’ll love this water resistant and paraben free concoction that keeps blemishes at bay. 

Australian Gold Sheer Coverage Continuous Spray SPF 30. For more sheer coverage, we recommend Australian Gold’s newest cutting-edge InvisiDry Technology that combines superior sun protection with a quick-dry formula.

Have a favorite SPF lotion or spray? Leave a comment below!